Moving-picture machine.



M. J. VINIK.

MOVING PICTURE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 29. |914.

Patented J an. 22, 1 7918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I A TTOR/VEYS M. J. VINIK.

MOVING PICTURE MACHINE.

APPLlcmoN FILED JAN. 29. |914.

1,254,552 A Patented Jan. 22, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W i @LA/fw M. I. VINIK.

MOVING PICTURE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 1m29. 1914.

1,254,552. Patented Jan. 22,1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

2 4 I L 2 i L L" i i I 1 I L6 l 12" W/TNESSES /Nl/EA/To/i' www. ,f Mail/lum ZJ/uuic AHORA/frs M. l'. VINlK.

MOVING PICTURE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 1m29. |914.

Patented J an. 22, 1918.

Wma/5885s IATTHIAS J. VINIK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

` MOVING-PICTURE MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 22, 1918'.

Application led January 2,9, 1914. Serial No. 815,162.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHIAS. J. VINIK, a subject of the Czar'of Russia, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Moving-Picture Machine, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description. i

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved moving picture ma.

chine arranged to increase the length of time the film is at rest for the exposure of a picture and to shorten the time of theflm motion when changing from one picture to the next following one to such an extent as to eliminate all fiicker and to utilize a greater ercentage of the arc light and to make it impossible to detect the change or the socalled travel ghost whether a shutter is used or not.

Another object is to feed the film through the machine by rolling contact instead of pulling it through vertical stationary guide- Ways, thus eliminating the destructive wear on the film and allowing a picture on the curved portion of the film to be correctly projected onto a fiat surface. Y

In order to accomplish the desired result use is made of a film-feeding device having intermittently-driven vrotary .means at the point of exposure for feeding the film through the machine by rolling contact. Use is also made of a correcting lens 'at a point of exposure directly opposite the curved or segmental portion of the film projecting the picture on the curved portion of the film correctly ontoa fiatscreen or other surface.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all theviews. 45 Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the moving picture machine; Y

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the same 'on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3v is a rear elevation of part of the moving picture machine with the guide rollers for the films omitted;

Fig. 4-is a side elevation of the vmoving picture machine;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the film-feeding .5 device, one of the wheels and its support being shown in section;

Fig. 6 is a sectional side elevation of the Geneva stop mechanism, the section being on the line 6-6 of Fig. 8;

Fi 7 is a similar view of the same on the 60 line -7 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 8 is a plan view, with parts in section, of the actuating device of the intermittent feed mechamsm;

Fig. 9 is a similar view of the same with 65 the parts in a different position;

Flg. 10 is a face view of the wheel shaft, the intermittently rotating and lengthwiseslidin shaft and the coupling connecting the sald shafts with each other; 70.

Fig. 11 is a sectional side elevation of the couphng connecting the wheel shaft and the Geneva wheel shaft with each other;

Fig. 12 is a cross section of the crank mechanism for impartln a sliding movement to the shaft of the eneva stop wheel the section being on the line 12--12 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a sectional side elevation of the moving picture machine onthe line 13-13 80 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 14 is an inverted sectional plan view of a modified formof the actuating mechanism for the intermittentv feeding device, the section being on the line 14--14 of Fig 15;A

Fig. 15 is a sectional side elevation of the same'on the line15--15 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the same; and

Fig. 17 is a sectional side elevation of the 90 same on the line 17-17 of Fig. 14.' v

In moving picture machines as heretofore constructed' 1t has been found impracticable to feed the film intermittently through the machine beyond a well known speed, as otherwise the strain on the film becomes so great as to tear the film. In the machines heretofore used the ratio between the period of rest and that of the films motion was 3 to 1 andhence the change from one pic-v ture to another produced the socalled travel ghost when run without a shutter, and a flicker at the screen when using the shutter.

With my improvements. presently describedin detail the ratio between the peri# ods; of rest and motion 4may be increased to 7 to 1 or 11 to 1 and even to a higher ratio` witlout danger of injury to the film, it being obvious that at the high vratios mentioned the fiicker, due to ability to cover 110 the picture more than three times at each exposure is practically eliminated and the f the plate E provided with an opening E for the passage vof therays of lightto the curved or segmental portion of the film held at vthe time opposite the opening E on the peripheral faces of the wheels B, B', as plainly indicated in Fig. 13. The rays of light are received from a condenser F and a source'of light F and immediately adjacent the inner face of the film portion or picture exposed at the time to the rays'of light is arranged a correcting lens G which directs the image to an objective of usual construction, for projecting y the lmage on a distant flat screen or other similar surface. The correcting lens G has a cylindrical curvature, as indicated in Fig. 13, and corrects the blurred and distorted image owing to the curvature given to the film by the wheels B, B so that thev image is correctly and sharply rojected on the distant screen or surface. 'ghe correcting lens G is held in a segmental support G which also forms a support for the body of the film during yits travel around the wheels B, B, and the said support ,G is attached to the frameA A and extends between the wheels B B. G follows the curvature of the'wheels B, B without touching the body of the film. By reference to Fig. 13 it will benoticed that a large number of the sprockets of the wheels B and B are in engagement at the time with a corresponding number of the usual apertures in the sides lof the film C so that the film C-can be fed through the machine at a high' speed without danger ofv tearing the film as the latter is in rolling contact with the peripheral faces of the wheels B, B. l j

In order to impart an intermittent rotary motionto the wheels B, B at-the ratios above mentioned, the following varrangement is made: On the shafts B2, B3 carrying the wheels B, B are secured gear wheels I, I (see Figs. 3 and 5) in mesh with inions I2, I3 secured on a shaft I4 journaled 1n suitable bearings arranged on the main frame A. On the pinion I? (see Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11) is secured' a coupling member I provided with a slot I6 in which is mounted to slide a pin J secured on a shaft J mounted to turn in suitable bearings arranged on the main frame A and adapted to slide longitudinally in the said bearings. It will It is understood that the support benoticed vthat when the shaft J is turned the pin J turns the coupling I and consequently the shaft I, and the slot I6 is of such a length `as toy correspond to the lengthwise throw given to the shaft J so that the pin J remains at all times in coupling en-` gagement with the slot I of the coupling member I". On the shaft J is secureda star wheel J2 formin part of a Geneva movement and adapte to be engaged by a pin J3 projecting from the face of a wheel J* having a hub J5 engaging the usual peripheral portions on the star wheel J 2. The wheel J4 is secured on a shaft J provided with a pinion K in mesh with a gear wheel K secured on a shaft K2 (see Figs. 1 and 4:),journa1ed in suitable bearings arranged on the main frame. On the shaft K2 is secured a pinion K3 in mesh with a gear wheel K4 secured on the main 'driving shaft Kn provided with a suitable handle K under the control 'of the operator for turning the shaft K5. It will be noticed that when the shaft K5 is turned the train of gear wheels consisting of the gear wheel K4, pinion K3, shaft K2 and pinion K imparts a rotary motion to the shaft J 0 thus rotating the wheel J4 and causing the pin J3 to engage and turn the star wheel J 2 whereby an intermittent rotary motion is given to the shaft J and consequently to the wheels B, B by the pinions I2, I3 and the gear wheels I and I. The star wheel J2 moves alternately in and out of the path of the pin J3, and the arrangement is such that the pin wheel J 4 makes one revolution ithout the pin J3 engaging the star wheievl J2 and makes a second revolution engaging the star wheel J 2 to give the latter a quarter turn, it being understood that the star wheel is provided\ with four radial slots, as indicated in Figs. 6 and 7, thus producing a ratio of 1 to 7, or, in other words, the image on the film opposite the lens G is in motion one-seventh of the length of time the image is at rest. In case a higher ratio is desired the star wheel J 2 is provided with three ,radial slots so that `the ratio is 1 to 11, that is, the image on the film opposite the lens G is inmotion one-eleventh of the time the pictureis at rest. 4

In order to impart a lengthwise sliding movementto the shaft J with a view to move the star wheel J 2 alternately in and out of the path of the pin J3, the following arrangement is made: The outer end of the shaft J is mounted to turn in a shifting collar L pivotally connected by a pitman L with a crank pin L2 held on a crank shaft L3 j ournaled in suitable bearings arranged on the main frame A. On the shaft L3 is secured a bevel gear wheel L4 in'mesh with gear wheel L5 fastened to the shaft J6 so that when the latter is rotated a rotary motion is transmitted by the bevel gear wheels L, L4 to the crank length thereof so that Ithe star wheel J2 in lone position (see Fig. 8) is in the path of the pin J 2, and in anotherposition, as shown in Fig. 9, the star wheel J2 is out of the path'of the pin J 2. The hub J 5 of the pin wheel J 4 is provided with a cut-out portion J7 for the passage of the points of the star wheel J2 when the latter is intermittently rotated by the pin J3. The .pivot pins L8 of the pitman L extend through the shifting collar L into an annular groove J8 formed in the shaft J (see Fig. 12) so that the shaft J is free lto turn in the shifting collar and the movement given to the latter causes a sliding of the shaft J in the direction of the length thereof. The shaft J is provided with the usual Hy wheel J2 to insure the steady running'of the machine.

In order to feed the lm C to the wheels B, B and the film rollers D, D use is made of spaced overhead sprocket wheels N, N in vertical alinement with the sprocket wheels B, B (see Fig. 3), and the said sprocket wheels N, N operate in conjunction with top and bottom'film rollers N2, N2 journaled in suitable bearings arranged in a bracket A forming part of the main frame A. The sprocket wheels N, N are secured on a shaft N4 journaled in the bracket A and on the said shaft' N2 is secured a bevel gear wheel N5 in mesh with a bevel gear wheel N secured on the upper end of a shaft N7 journaled in suitable bearings arranged on the main frame A and its bracket A.' On the lower end of the shaft N" is secured a bevel gear wheel N8 in mesh with a bevel gear wheel N2 secured on the shaft K2 previously mentioned (see Figs. 1, 2 and y,4), thus when the shaft K2 is rotated, as previously mentioned, a rotary motion 1s transmitted by the gearing just described to the sprocket wheels N, N to feed the iilm by rolling contact in a downward direction and to the sprocket wheels B B. It is understood that the peripheral speed of the sprocket wheels N, N corresponds to that of the sprocket wheels B, B.

In case it is desired to use a shutter O in conjunction with the objective H such a shutter O is formed of a narrow plate or plates and is secured on a shaft O journaled in suitable bearings arranged on the main frame A. On the shaft O is secured a bevel gear wheel O2 in mesh with a bevelgear wheel O3 secured on the upper end of a` shaft O4 journaled in suitable bearings arranged on the main frame A. On the lower end of the shaft O4 is secured a bevel ear v wheel O5 in mesh with a bevel gear w eel in mesh with the gear wheel K', previously mentioned (see 'Fig'. 4) so that when the gear wheel K is rotated a rotary motion is transmitted b the gearing 'ust described to the shutter s aft O and t e shutter O to close the objective H during the period of movement of the film C. If a two-blade shutter is used with this arrangement it will cover the picture six times at each exposure against three times the highest possible up to now.

ln the modified form shown in Figs. 14, 15, 16 and 17, the star wheel P is secured to a shaft P which is secured to the shaft I4 carrying the pinions I2, I2 previously mentioned. The star wheel P has no sliding movement relative to the pin Q but the latter besides revolving has a sliding movement to move into and out4 of the path of the star wheel P. The pin Q is held to turn in a pin ca'rrier in the form of an arm Q extending from a bar Q2 mounted to slide in a groove R formed lengthwise in a revolving shaft R driven from the shaft K5 by a train of gear wheels similar to the train of gear wheels above described and which connects the said shaft K5 with the shaft J e, as above stated. The .bar Q2 is attached to a circular head Q3 mounted to turn in a bearing S of a sleeve S loosely mounted on the shaft R to slide thereon. The sleeve S is provided with a pivot pin S2 engaged by a pitman T connected with a crank pin U on the face of a bevel gear wheel U in mesh with a pinion .U2 secured on the shaft R. Thus when the latter is rotated the pitman T imparts a sliding motion to the sleeve S whereby a sliding motion is given to the bar Q2 and the pin Q to move the latter into and out of the path of the star wheel P. It is understood that the bar Q2 rotates with the shaft R so that the pin Q is revolved, and the pin Q imparts a turning motion to the star wheel P whenever the pin is in engagement with the star wheel P. The pin Q slides in a wheel Q4 mounted on the shaft R and having a hub Q5 provided with an opening Q adapted to be closed by a segmental shoe Q7 attached to the bar Q2. Thus when the pin Q moves out of the path of the star wheel P the shoe Q7 passes into the opening Q6 and closes the same to hold the star wheel P against turning, it being understood that the usual recesses of the star Wheel are adapted to engage thel peripheral face of the hub Q5 to hold the star wheel from turning. When the pin Q moves into the path of the star wheel P the shoe Q7 moves outof the opening Q6 to lallow the corresponding point of the star wheel`P to pass through the said opening at the time the star wheel P is turned by the pin Q. It will be noticed that when the machine is running a reciprocating motion is given by the crank pin U, pitman T, sleeve S, bar Q2. and shaft P2 to the pin Q to move'the latter in and out of engagement with a corresponding slot in the star wheel P so that the star wheel is given a quarter turn durin every second revolution of the shaft R. he advantage of this modification is that it permits the pin to revolve, thus increasing its life. j

By reference to Figs. 6, 7 and" 15, 1t lw1ll be .noticed that the star wheels 'J2 and P have their slots tangential tothe pins J3 and Q, respectively, so that "the, pins correctly enter -the slots and thereby vturn the star wheels without jerk or jar.

By the use of the step-down pinions I2, Ia in mesh with the gear'wheels I and I the Wheels B, B can be made sufficiently large to 4simultaneously engage a large number of s rockets of the ,said wheels B .and .B with t e film, thus permitting the rotation of the wheels B, B at a high rate of speed without danger of tearing the film.

It is understood that although I have shown and described star wheels having three and four radial slots, it is evident that a star wheel with more than four slots may be used to decrease or increase the ratio of the periods of rest and movement of the film correspondingly. It is also understood that the proportional dimensions of the stepdown gearing I, I', I2, I3 may be varied to allow an increase in the size of the wheels B, B with a view to engage more sprockets of these wheels with the apertures at the sides of the film.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure' by Letters Patent:

1. A moving vpicture machine provided with spaced revoluble members arranged between a condenser and an objective and around a portion of which'th'e film passes, means for intermittently operating the members and means for feeding the` film to said members.

2. A moving picture machine provided with intermittently-rotating wheels spaced apart and around which passes the film, and

va correcting lens vfor correcting the projection of the curved portion of the film.

3. A moving picture machine provided with feeding mea-ns for moving the film through the machine by rolling contact, and optical correcting means for correcting the projection of the image on the curved portion of the film.

4. A moving picture machine provided with intermittently-rotating sprocket wheels spaced apart, a correcting lens between the sprocket Wheels adjacent ,the curved por? tion of the film a condenser and an objectivel in alinement wlth each other and located on opposite sides ofthe correcting lens.

5. A movingA picture machine provided with' a pair of spaced feed wheels around a portion ofv which `the film passes while passing between the .condenser and objective, gear Wheels for rotating the said feed wheels, a pair of pinions invmesh with the l said gear wheels, an intermittent rotary mechanism for lintermittently rotating the said pinions, and means for feeding they film to said feed wheels.

6. In a moving picture machine, the combination with a condenser, an objective and 4a film feeding mechanism, of a pair of spaced wheels between the condenser ,and objective, means forl causing the film to pass around a portion of said Wheels, and means for operatlng the feed mechanism and theI4 said wheels intermittently and in unison.

7. A moving picture machine provided with an objective, a condenser, la pair" of sprocket Wheels carrying a film, the sprocket wheels being spaced apart and arranged in# termediate the said condenser and objective to cause the rays of light to pass between the sprocket wheels,l and means for intermittently rotating the sprocket wheels.

8. Ina moving picture machine, the combination with a condenser, an objective, and

a support arranged between the condenser A and objective and provided with an opening for the rays of light, -of a pair of spaced feed wheels mounted in the support, friction rollers mounted in the upper and lower portions of the support whereby to cause the film to pass around a portion of said wheels, and means for intermittently operating the feed wheels. In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. MATTHIAS J. VINIK. Witnesses:

' THEO. G. HosTER,

' PHILIP D. RoLLHAUs. 

